(November 3, 2014) FAPA Calls On President Obama To Stand Up For Taiwan During Visit To China / 台灣人公共事務會呼籲歐巴馬總統於訪中期間聲援台灣

FAPA Calls On President Obama To Stand Up For Taiwan During Visit To China

In a letter dated November 3, 2014, Mark Kao, the President of the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) appealed to President Obama to “reaffirm America’s support for freedom, democracy and human rights in Taiwan” during his upcoming visit to China at the end of this week when he attends the APEC summit in Beijing.

Dr. Kao states, “We understand that in order to resolve many of the world’s major problems, the United States needs to engage China, but the fact is that China has not acted as a “responsible stakeholder”, and is causing increasing tension in the region, in particular in the South China Sea, East China Sea, and through its mishandling of the democratic developments in Hong Kong. Against this background, we emphasize that “engagement” should not be done at the expense of America’s core values: freedom, democracy and human rights, as exemplified in the nation and people of Taiwan.”

Dr. Kao concludes: “In the meantime, Taiwan has transformed itself into a vibrant democracy, and as we saw with the Sunflower Movement this Spring, the people of Taiwan don’t want to be pushed into an unwelcome embrace with China.

We firmly believe it is a core US interest to help protect and nurture this young democracy. We therefore urge you to move towards a “One Taiwan, One China” policy that warmly welcomes Taiwan as a full and equal member of the international community. That would indeed be a change the American people can believe in.”

As you prepare to visit China, we, as a Taiwanese-American grassroots organization with 54 chapters across the United States, appeal to you to reaffirm America’s support for freedom, democracy and human rights in Taiwan.

During the past years, the Beijing government has called on the United States and other international partners to respect China’s so-called “territorial integrity” and “core interests.” We strongly urge you to remind the Chinese leaders, in response, that it is a core interest of the United States that the future of Taiwan be resolved peacefully and with the express consent of the people of Taiwan.

We understand that in order to resolve many of the world’s major problems, the United States needs to engage China, but the fact is that China has not acted as a “responsible stakeholder”, and is causing increasing tension in the region, in particular in the South China Sea, East China Sea, and through its mishandling of the democratic developments in Hong Kong. Against this background, we emphasize that “engagement” should not be done at the expense of America’s core values: freedom, democracy and human rights, as exemplified in the nation and people of Taiwan.

We appeal to you that, in your meetings with the Chinese leaders, you insist that they dismantle the 1,600 missiles targeted at Taiwan and renounce the threat of use of force against Taiwan. To safeguard Taiwan and its future, we need to more fully embrace freedom, democracy and human rights in that country. We believe this is the best way to maintain peace and stability in East Asia and is in the best interests of the United States.

Mr. President, in your 2008 election campaign you promised us “change we can believe in.” In your acceptance speech at the Democratic Convention in Denver, you stated: “Enough to the politics of the past.” We hope this applies to US policies towards Taiwan. For the past four decades, the US has clung to an outdated “One China” policy which has left Taiwan dangling in international isolation.

In the meantime, Taiwan has transformed itself into a vibrant democracy, and as we saw with the Sunflower Movement this Spring, the people of Taiwan don’t want to be pushed into an unwelcome embrace with China. We firmly believe it is a core US interest to help protect and nurture this young democracy. We therefore urge you to move towards a “One Taiwan, One China” policy that warmly welcomes Taiwan as a full and equal member of the international community. That would indeed be a change the American people can believe in.

Thank you for your attention. We wish you a safe journey.

Sincerely yours,

(November 3, 2014) FAPA Calls On President Obama To Stand Up For Taiwan During Visit To China / 台灣人公共事務會呼籲歐巴馬總統於訪中期間聲援台灣